February’s Night Sky: See The Planet Parade, A ‘False Dusk’ And A ‘Ramadan Moon’
Stargazing in 2025 got off to a busy start in January, with Mars glowing golden as it reached opposition, Venus dazzling in the post-sunset sky, a sudden comet appearing, and the new moon signaling the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year.
February sees Venus reach its brightest as it gets closest to Earth, Mars continues to shine, and a full “Cold Moon" rises with bright star Regulus. A parade of planets will be on show all month, with Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars all visible after dark—but gaze while you can, because by March, only Jupiter and Mars will remain.
Here’s everything else you need to know about stargazing, moon-watching and the night sky in February 2025:
1. Venus And A Crescent Moon
When: After sunset on Saturday, Feb. 1.
Where: Southwestern sky.
Is this one of stargazing’s most beautiful sights? As evening falls, look to the west to see a beautiful conjunction of a waxing crescent moon close to Venus, the brightest planet in the sky. Look “Earthshine”—sunlight reflected off Earth’s surface and back onto the moon—and find dim Saturn below the pair.
2. Moon In The Pleiades
When: After dark on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
Where: Southeastern night sky.
One of the most captivating sights this month is the moon appearing to pass through the famous Pleiades star cluster. Known as the “Seven Sisters,” this cluster is a sparkling gem of the winter sky. The moon will be 57%-lit, so the stars may appear faint, but the pairing will still be a stunning sight—albeit one best seen with binoculars. Get some practice because the moon will pass through the Pleiades every month in 2025.
3. Full ‘Snow Moon’ with Regulus
When: Wednesday, Feb. 12.
Where: Rising in the east during dusk.
February’s full moon, known as the “Snow Moon,” will rise dramatically in the east during dusk. Get to know the exact time of moonrise where you are for the most impactful sight. As a bonus, the bright star Regulus will be nearby in the constellation Leo.
4. A Crescent Venus At Its Brightest
When: After sunset on Sunday, Feb. 16.
Where: Southwestern sky.
Venus reaches its peak brightness tonight, shining like a beacon in the western sky just after sunset. This celestial “Evening Star” is impossible to miss and offers a dazzling view as it hovers above the horizon. Why so bright? It's closest to Earth. If you have a pair of binoculars or a small telescope, take a closer look, and you'll see that Venus is a crescent, similar to how we see the moon when it's close to the sun from our perspective.
5. Zodiacal Light
When: After sunset Feb. 18-28.
Where: Southwestern sky.
If—and only if—you are in a dark sky destination far from light pollution during these 10 evenings, look west about an hour after sunset for the elusive zodiacal light, also called the “false dusk.” This faint triangular glow, caused by sunlight scattering off interplanetary dust, can only be seen from very dark locations far from city lights.
6. The ‘Ramadan Moon’
When: Friday, Feb. 28 or Saturday, Mar. 1.
Where: Western sky immediately after sunset.
When is Ramadan? While the moon dictates when one month ends and another begins in the Islamic lunar calendar, the exact dates can't be predetermined because they depend on the actual sighting of the crescent moon right after the new moon. This means Ramadan—the annual month of fasting—could start on Friday, Feb. 28, or Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025, based on when the crescent moon is spotted following the new moon on Thursday, Feb. 28.
There’s also a possibility it could begin on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. This event is known as the Ramadan Moon, as its sighting marks the end of the month of Shaban and the start of Ramadan.
The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
